Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
Getting into the vacation rental business is not easy. You have to find out some unique ideas and implement them to stand out in the competition. Especially when your accommodation is situated in a tourist city, it becomes more important to initiate friendly ideas to attract customers to your vacation rentals. One of the best ways to stand out is through having pet-friendly vacation rentals. Owners typically do this when they love pets themselves, want to impact a greater audience, or widen the scope of their potential customers. However, with this also comes great responsibility. Giving out pet-friendly houses for rent has some disadvantages and risks. In order to curtail them, we have curated some tips and policies that you can follow for the smooth running of your vacation rental.
1. Pet agreement-
If you have vacation rentals that have pet-friendly policies, make sure you include a pet agreement in the contract or any form of legal agreement with your tenant. These agreements might include the rules the tenant needs to follow in order to continue being a tenant. If they flout any of them, you might have the right to expel them from your home. If your tenant is bringing a pet, make sure they sign this positively. When this agreement is signed, you can enforce the rules mentioned therein.
2. Types of pet allowed-
If you are an animal lover, you might want to allow all types of pets. However, some landlord prefers filtering out this policy by allowing only friendly and accommodative pets. Some landlords allow only domesticated animals such as cats, dogs, fish, rabbits, etc. Moreover, some dangerous dog breeds are also not allowed in many places. These dogs might pose a danger to the neighbors or to your property if they aren’t well trained. sadly, you won’t have much time to observe the level of training of a dog in few days, so if you want to minimize the risk, it’s better you restrict the dangerous dogs from your place.
3. Ask relevant questions-
Before you allow the policy of pet-friendly vacation rentals, you can add a clause in the pet agreement which requires your permission to keep the pet. If you think that the pet will or might cause some nuisance, you can reserve the right to deny having that pet at your vacation rentals. For example, a pet that is too huge for your small apartment, or a pet that is vicious and dangerous.
You can also, ask some relevant questions before allowing them in such as how long the pet has been with the tenant? How much is the level of training given to this pet? Is there any dangerous trait he is carrying? Are the vaccinations done properly? All these questions play a huge role in mitigating the risks and disadvantages of having a pet at your accommodation.
4. Pet identification-
Put a clause in your pet agreement, or tell the tenant that their pet is required to wear an identity collar all the time, in case they are lost. This identity collar must include the current vaccinations, name, tenant’s contact, etc. Also, ask your tenant to give proof that it is their pet, and it has not been obtained illegally in cases of birds or fishes. Proper paper proof of vaccination should also be provided by the tenant to ensure that their claims can be backed up.
5. Responsibility-
It is the responsibility of the tenants to keep a check on their pets all the time. The pets should not disturb other guests or neighbors. Moreover, tenants much clean up after their pets in all common areas or private rooms. They must not let the pets roam around unsupervised for a long period of time. Also, it is the responsibility of the tenants to ensure the pets don’t harm anyone near them including the vacation rental staff if any. In the pet agreement, put a clause containing all these responsibilities, and include a liability clause which puts the burden on the tenant in case of any damages or injuries which can be attributable to their pets.
People love pet-friendly houses for rent, they are always lively, cheerful, and happy. Bringing their best friends along is a dream for many customers, and it is up to you to let them fulfill their dream. However, by following the above-mentioned rules, you can balance their wishes and your interests without creating any conflict.
